The Cambridge International A-Level Divinity (9011)

The Cambridge International A-Level Divinity (9011) syllabus builds on the foundation of the AS Level course and provides an advanced, comprehensive study of the Bible, focusing on its historical, literary, and theological significance. The syllabus encourages critical analysis of religious texts and thought, with an emphasis on the Old and New Testaments, their contexts, and key theological concepts. This subject is ideal for students interested in theology, religious studies, biblical scholarship, or related fields.

Key Areas of Study:

1. Old Testament Studies:

  • Pentateuch (The Torah):
    • Study of the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
    • Themes of creation, covenant, sin, law, and redemption.
    • Key characters such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the development of Israel as God’s chosen people.
  • Historical Books:
    • Focus on Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and the establishment of Israelite monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon.
    • Analysis of the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah, and the role of prophets.
  • Prophets and Prophecy:
    • Study of major and minor prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Hosea).
    • Themes of social justice, sin, judgment, hope, and messianic expectations.
  • Wisdom Literature:
    • Exploration of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
    • Themes of human suffering, wisdom, fear of God, and the search for meaning.

2. New Testament Studies:

  • The Four Gospels:
    • Detailed study of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
    • Comparison of themes, structure, and portrayal of Jesus' life, ministry, miracles, parables, crucifixion, and resurrection.
    • The theological significance of Jesus' role as the Messiah and Son of God.
  • Acts of the Apostles:
    • The growth of the early Church, the work of the apostles (especially Peter and Paul), and the spread of Christianity.
    • Key events such as Pentecost, Paul's missionary journeys, and the Council of Jerusalem.
  • Pauline Epistles:
    • Detailed analysis of letters such as Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Philippians.
    • Paul’s teachings on salvation, grace, justification, faith, and Christian living.
  • Other New Testament Writings:
    • Study of Hebrews, James, Peter, and Revelation.
    • Themes of faith, endurance, the role of Christ as the high priest, and eschatological hope.

3. Theological Themes:

  • Covenant and Promise:
    • The significance of covenants in both the Old Testament (with Abraham, Moses, David) and the New Testament (Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises).
  • Salvation and Redemption:
    • Concepts of sin, atonement, grace, and the role of Jesus as Savior in Christian theology.
  • Messianic Prophecies:
    • How Old Testament prophecies relate to the New Testament understanding of Jesus as the Messiah.
  • The Kingdom of God:
    • Interpretations of Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God in the Gospels and its significance in early Christian thought.

4. Biblical Criticism and Interpretation:

  • Historical and Literary Criticism:
    • Examination of how historical, cultural, and literary contexts influence the understanding of biblical texts.
    • Textual criticism, form criticism, source criticism, and redaction criticism.
  • Hermeneutics:
    • The art of interpreting biblical texts.
    • Approaches to biblical interpretation (literal, metaphorical, and allegorical).

5. History and Development of Early Judaism and Christianity:

  • Ancient Near Eastern Context:
    • Understanding the cultural, social, and political environment in which the Old Testament was written.
    • Influence of neighboring civilizations such as Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria.
  • Greco-Roman World:
    • The political and cultural context of first-century Palestine and the Roman Empire in shaping the New Testament.
    • Impact of Hellenistic culture and Jewish-Roman tensions on early Christianity.

Assessment:

  • Paper 1: Prophets of the Old Testament (25%): Students explore themes of prophecy, the role of prophets, and their messages, particularly focusing on major prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
  • Paper 2: The Four Gospels (25%): Students answer questions on the life, teachings, and significance of Jesus Christ as presented in the four Gospels. This includes comparing their theological approaches.
  • Paper 3: The Apostolic Age (25%): Covers the development of the early Christian Church, particularly through the Acts of the Apostles and the writings of Paul. Themes such as the spread of the Gospel, early Church conflicts, and Pauline theology are studied.
  • Paper 4: Essay Paper (25%): Students write essays on themes that span both the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating their ability to compare, contrast, and critically analyze biblical texts and their theological significance.

Skills Developed:

  • Textual Analysis: Developing the ability to analyze and interpret complex religious texts.
  • Critical Thinking: Engaging with biblical criticism and different interpretative methods.
  • Theological Understanding: Deepening knowledge of Christian theology and biblical themes.
  • Historical Contextualization: Understanding the historical and cultural settings of biblical events.
  • Communication: Constructing coherent, well-argued essays and discussions on religious topics.

Career Pathways:

A-Level Divinity provides an excellent foundation for further study in theology, religious studies, philosophy, history, or literature. It is also useful for careers in teaching, ministry, social work, counseling, law, and any field requiring strong analytical and communication skills, as well as an understanding of ethical and philosophical issues.

This syllabus encourages students to engage deeply with biblical texts, enhancing their understanding of religious thought, cultural history, and the role of religion in shaping societies.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Improve your video exercise experience

 The rising availability of video exercises has been one  positive  aspect of the pandemic. Even after two years, a lot of fitness centers still regularly broadcast live courses, and it's easier to get online video workouts. According to Dr. Edward Phillips, an assistant  professor  of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, "online workouts are ideal because you can do them at your leisure and stop and repeat as needed." "They also are a great option if you aren’t ready to return to the gym, or want a new way to exercise." To make the most of your online experience, if you  choose  to log on, remember these simple guidelines. 1. Select the appropriate exercise.  You may probably discover a variety of  exercises  on the internet that suit your goals, hobbies, and degree of fitness. Certain exercises, such as body-weight training, resistance band exercises, low-impact aerobics, and balance training (yoga and tai chi), have a particular emp
Read more

Advice on selecting walking shoes

 Walking is a popular and useful low-impact workout that you can do practically anyplace. An additional benefit of walking that is frequently noted is that all you actually need is a good pair of shoes. However, if you're walking everywhere you go in  comfortable  but well-worn sneakers, it might be time to get a new pair of walking shoes. As a matter of fact, after 300 to 500 miles, some experts  advise replacing  your walking shoes. Walking vigorously for thirty minutes every day, five days a week, means you'll need a new pair of shoes every six to twelve months. Additionally, wearing brand-new, properly fitting walking shoes might make you go a little farther and with a little more bounce in your stride. Keeping your feet content Wearing the proper shoes can help you prevent common foot and ankle ailments including Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the  tendon  that connects the calf muscle to the heel) and plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the fibrous band of tissue on
Read more

Work balance drills into your hectic schedule

Incorporating balance exercises into an  already  busy schedule may seem like too much work. When you're already working, running errands, and exercising every day, how are you going to fit in another 30-minute routine? The solution is to gradually increase your balance exercise. "Even a little balance practice every now and then adds up. It becomes simpler to perform daily tasks as your balance grows better, according to Kristina Dunlea, a physical therapist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, which is connected with Harvard. To securely carry out upright tasks,  including  walking, rising and falling from a chair or bed, climbing stairs, or reaching up to retrieve a dish from a cupboard, we need to have good balance. Regretfully, as we age, our ability to balance decreases, raising the possibility of falls. locating the necessary time Dunlea suggests fitting a  balancing  exercise into a spare moment that's already scheduled into your day, as it just takes a minute. &qu
Read more